Profiling is Bad, but...

“Six Muslim men removed from a plane last fall after being accused of suspicious behavior are suing the airline and threatening to sue the passengers who complained…” (from MSNBC.com).

While I have a great deal of empathy for these gentlemen, I also have to say I’m sorry, but we aren't fighting Swedish terrorists, or Caribbean terrorists, or Japanese terrorists – we’re fighting Arab terrorists. While it’s a shame that Muslims should have to be profiled, people shouldn’t be put in a position of fearing a lawsuit because they have legitimate concerns about someone on a flight. Let’s not forget the fact that you only get one chance on a plane; once it’s in the air, if there’s a bomb or hijacking, your options are pretty limited.

While I deplore racism of any kind, we have to realize by necessity there is going to be some profiling going on here because the terrorists come, in the large majority, from one particular ethnic group. If I had been on that flight I might very well have been one of the passengers to speak up. That is what these gentlemen appear not to understand in this case.

Muslims should be taking more care when they travel; it’s only common sense, something seemingly lacking in this ‘war on terror’ with all sides. Muslims must realize that certain behaviors (like chanting “God is great” in Arabic or changing seats) will draw concern from people. It is up to the Muslim community to educate the rest of us about their religion if they feel they are being profiled for things that are, in fact, innocent. It seems to me that Muslims have somewhat isolated themselves from the rest of the population. Again, while I can understand it to a degree, from an outsider’s perspective it makes them look worse rather than making them look better.

In any event, people were only protecting themselves in this case and the lawsuit is specious and should be dropped.

“Circuit City to ax 3,400 workers, hire lower-cost replacements” [USAToday]

Thank you for all your hard work and dedication. Now get the hell out.

Conservatives Take Heart!

If the resolution passed by the House giving a 2008 date for withdrawal from Iraq is any indication, the Democrats are still a mess. Despite handing out favors like Halloween candy, Nancy Pelosi was barely able to field a simple majority to pass it. It looks like Republicans have a real opportunity to take advantage of Democratic disunity – if only they can get their own act together.

This resolution is an exercise in futility anyway – Bush has already announced he’ll veto it and the Dems lack the votes to override. Hopefully there will be reason on both sides of the aisle and clear-headed compromise will prevail. Hey, it could happen…

Four years...and Counting...

Today is the fourth anniversary of the United States’ involvement in Iraq. Did the administration have the slightest idea we’d still be there in 2007? It’s amazing how inept George Bush et al have been in this conflict.

We’re not safer.

We’re no closer to leaving.

And our options all suck.

Thanks, George. I’m so glad we reelected you…

Black & Articulate is a Bad Mamma-Jamma

There’s a debate going on in the black community about white politicians calling Barack Obama ‘articulate.’

Why?

Would African-Americans rather have an incoherent, bumbling boob running as a candidate for the Presidency of the United States? Is there something wrong with being educated amd well-spoken if you're black?

If a black person could respond and explain this, I’d truly like to understand. Otherwise I have assume that African-Americans would rather be, perhaps, uneducated?

Consequences? What consequences?

Scooter Libby’s been convicted – not of outing Valerie Plame, but lying about talking to the press about her. And the Bush administration goes merrily on without an ounce of worry thanks to Patrick Fitzgerald’s statement he won’t be filing any more charges in the matter.

The administration has done all it can possibly do to discredit the Wilsons, and done all it without any consequences. And no one is held accountable for endangering an undercover operative; anyone in the employ of the CIA must be having restless nights over that. The fact is someone broke the law by leaking her name and got off Scott free.

It’s amazing no one in the White House is held accountable for anything they do wrong. They call Reagan the ‘Teflon’ president, but George W. Bush surely has a non-stick coating as well, and Libby’s the poor sap taking the fall for Cheney and Co.

I used to teach Sunday CCD at my parish. The curriculum for 7th grade was morality, and the fact that the choices we make have consequences. The White House certainly doesn’t have any morality to worry about, nor seemingly any consequences.